Marine Carpet Glue For Wood Decking

[1985 Century Mustang]

I'm getting some ideas on which carpet glue I should use. I'm about to carpet my deck today. Does anybody here on the forum have any glues they have used before, that they would recommend? The carpet is going over a plywood decking. So far I like Roberts 6700 and Henry 663, The Rec Pro looks good too, in what I've researched.
The Weldwood got some mixed reviews. Anyways, your thoughts.

 

[Chris1956]

Did you waterproof the plywood decking? If so, any indoor-outdoor carpet adhesive is fine. I have used the lates stuff, w/o issue.

 

[todhunter]

Agree with above - waterproof it before putting down carpet. I fiberglassed my deck then used Weldwood HHR to attach my carpet - worked great, but if you've never sprayed it before, there is a slight learning curve. It's a contact adhesive, so you basically get one shot at rolling the carpet down. Spray as you go, and a little goes a long way.

 

[Lou C]

If you have a plywood deck even if coated in resin remember polyester resin is not waterproof like epoxy is…I would never put carpet over a plywood deck…..either marine paint with anti slip or gel coat with anti slip. Carpet holds moisture and rots plywood decks.

 

[Chris1956]

If the plywood has a layer of FG cloth and polyester resin to fill the mesh, it should be waterproof. Carpet over it will not cause it to rot, despite what some think.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

The decking was sealed. The carpeting has a good rubber backing. I'm just looking to see what glue yall may of used before.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Did you waterproof the plywood decking? If so, any indoor-outdoor carpet adhesive is fine. I have used the lates stuff, w/o issue.

Yes it's waterproofed.

 

[Lou C]

If the plywood has a layer of FG cloth and polyester resin to fill the mesh, it should be waterproof. Carpet over it will not cause it to rot, despite what some think.

Mine was built that way & what happened after about 15 years it rotted wherever the seat mounting screws went through. When I redid it I had the shop gel coat it in non skid gel coat & all seat mounting screws sealed with 4200. 15 years later it’s still solid. So no carpet for me in a boat!
Polyester resin is not water proof that is why some boats have osmotic blisters.

 

[Chris1956]

So, screws ruined your deck, or was it carpet? How many screws were needed to fasten the carpet?

 

[Lou C]

Screws for seat pedestals, 6 screws per pedestal. Rot also started under the rear seat boxes due to moisture getting back there and carpet keeps it from evaporating.
Carpet was glued down....
and ALL the dark spots in the old deck I ripped up 15+ years ago, started wherever there was a screw hole....a perfect circular pattern of rot.
So for me, never ever carpet on wood cored deck, it will not last in our climate and my boating environment, damp climate, kept on a mooring but covered all the time when not in use.
this pic is from 2007 but it still looks this good.
So my experiment over 15 years kinda proves it to me....no carpet, gel coated deck and your boat lasts longer.

 

[Chris1956]

So screws penetrated your deck and since they were not sealed, caused rot. So how why do you accuse the carpet of rotting the wood?

 

[Lou C]

The carpet holds moisture for an extended period of time if you can’t put the boat in a garage or barn. When I ripped up the carpet the boat had been covered over the winter the whole area under the rear seats was still soaked.
1) polyester resin really isn’t waterproof it if it was boats wouldn’t get osmotic blisters
2) caulking holes with sealer doesn’t last forever
3) carpet holds moisture no matter what you do; all covers leak a bit & it is really constant dampness in certain climates that establishes the ideal conditions for rot.
If you look at modern boats the only ones I have seen with carpet are bass boats & those are boats that are not left in the water or outside. Any boat designed to be left docked or on a mooring had no carpet. Even low priced bow riders come with gel coated decks with non skid & if they do use carpet it is snap in carpet than can be removed to let it dry out.
At least in my climate I have years of experience with it being built one way vs the other. No carpet resulted in much longer life for the deck.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, my speedboat is carpeted, is from 1974 (49 years old) and I put a new deck in it, likely about 15 years ago. The old one had multiple screw penetrations from battery hold downs, seats, brackets etc, and only lasted 34 years, before it rotted. Damn that carpet for rotting the deck.....

 

[Lou C]

What’s your climate?
Here a wood deck built off your house even if made of cedar lasts like 15 years most of it if not all will need to be replaced. Seaside area more or less constant moisture . That, termite’s & carpenter ants love the moisture.
I don’t trailer miles to use the boat it’s is moored in the harbor behind my house. Maybe 300 ft from my back yard. You live on the water you get used to constant humidity.
So that’s why I’ll never have carpet in an open boat stored outside. In a dry climate maybe it’s fine….not here!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Dap Weldwood is one of the best carpet contact adhesives

 

[airshot]

If you have a plywood deck even if coated in resin remember polyester resin is not waterproof like epoxy is…I would never put carpet over a plywood deck…..either marine paint with anti slip or gel coat with anti slip. Carpet holds moisture and rots plywood decks.

Yes, but depends on how much water it gets. I have carpet all over the gunwale and front deck, I stay out of excessive high waves and don't bury my bow into the water. Also put my boat in a barn and run a fan if the carpet is wet. Boat is a 1992 and solid as a rock, no soft wood anywhere. Looking up inside at the bottom of the deck no discoloration either. Drying out the carpet makes a hugh difference..

 

[Lou C]

Yes that can work if you have the ability to get the boat inside so it dries out. Outside even under a good cover it will stay damp at least in this climate. No one around here had barns or garages big enough for boats. It’s just how it is.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I live on saltwater and keep my speedboat on a lift. A nice sunshiny day will dry it out real well. I hose it off after use and don't think/worry about wet carpet.

I have never had blisters on the decking under the carpet. If you do have an issue with the decking, I would check to make sure it has enough glass and resin. Two layers of cloth or one of mat, plus a few coats of poly resin does the trick.

Spraying the deck with a chop gun as many OEMs do, doesn't make it last very long.

 

[airshot]

Yes that can work if you have the ability to get the boat inside so it dries out. Outside even under a good cover it will stay damp at least in this climate. No one around here had barns or garages big enough for boats. It’s just how it is.

Guess it is time to start building some ...lol...or mabey my boat is to important to me....some like motorcycles, some cars, me...it is boats and my side x side.

 

[Lou C]

My part of Long Island NY has some of the highest property taxes in the country I can tell you it will never happen till I leave. They will take the last nickel you have.